Track and divider assembly

ABSTRACT

A merchandise display system includes a base and divider assembly, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a front rail and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows, wherein the divider portion protrudes from the base portion. A pusher track is defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion and accommodates a spring urged pusher. A flange protrudes away from the divider such that the flange extends in a direction away from the track.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/348,306 which was filed on Jan. 21, 2003 and is still pending. This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/538,321 filed Sep. 23, 2011.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure pertains to an adjustable merchandising system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to an adjustable forward feeding display merchandising system for storing and displaying merchandise of a variety of shapes and sizes and automatically delivering the merchandise to the front of a shelf. The merchandising system can be removably attached to an associated shelf and is configured to organize merchandise on the shelf.

Shelving is used extensively for stocking and storing products or merchandise in a variety of stores. Most consumer product stores contain immovable shelving which is arranged back to back between aisle ways. The nature of the fixed shelves makes difficult the rotation of the products on the shelf, which involves moving older stock to the front of the shelf and positioning newer stock behind the older stock. For a number of important merchandising considerations, it is desirable that merchandise be displayed at the front of the shelf so that a customer is induced to purchase the forward most such article. For example, if the goods are perishable or subject to becoming stale (e.g., cigarettes, fruit juices, dairy products or any item with an expiration date or a freshness date), it is important that the articles be removed following a first in, first out system to maintain freshness. Moreover, if merchandise is not displayed at the front of the shelf, it may not catch the shopper's eye which may cost the merchant sales.

In order to automatically move an item forward as the one before it is removed from the shelf, numerous forward feed devices have been devised. These devices generally fall into three categories. The first category is inclined tracks which rely on gravity to feed, slide or roll products forward. Gravity feeding may be unpredictable in that various materials slide easier than others because of different weights and frictional interfaces between the products and the track. The second category employs conveyor belts which still use gravity to effect forward movement. These devices are typically cumbersome, expensive and complicated due to the need to properly tension the track and conveyor belts. The third category uses spring biased pusher paddles to feed the product forward. Such paddle based forward feed devices have been found useful for certain types of merchandise.

In the third category, generally speaking, separate dividers and tracks containing pusher paddles are employed, along with end dividers. It is sometimes advantageous to provide an integrated track and divider system because an integrated track and divider makes assembly of the system easier for store personnel, as there are less components to handle. However, in the known integrated track and divider, the portion of the base supporting the divider—which portion is on the opposite side of the divider from the track—can comprise a significant amount of material which may not be necessary, as that portion of the base only has the function of supporting the opposite side of a column of packages from the side which is supported by the track and is urged forward by the pusher. Also, if there are rails on which the pusher rides which rails extend above the surface of the track, the base second side also needs to include such rails or be thicker so that the product packages do not become canted as they are urged forward by the pusher.

In other embodiments, it is advantageous to provide a track and divider system in which the divider can be selectively detached from the track. Such a two-piece assembly provides for better manufacturability. It also allows the manufacturer to mold the divider and the base from dissimilar materials. This can be done to minimize unit cost. It is also advantageous to be able to produce the divider from a transparent material or from colored materials, as may be required by the merchant using the base and divider assembly. Further, it is advantageous to be able to detach the divider from the track under certain circumstances, such as for wider products.

Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved base and divider assembly which would overcome the foregoing difficulties and others, while providing better and more advantageous overall results.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the present disclosure, a new and improved merchandise display system is provided. In one embodiment, the display system includes a base and divider assembly for supporting displayed merchandise, wherein the base and divider assembly includes a base portion adapted for operative coupling to a shelf and a divider portion for dividing displayed merchandise into rows. The divider portion protrudes from the base such that the divider portion is located adjacent one side edge of the base. Defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion is a pusher track. A spring urged pusher is connected to the pusher track for pushing merchandise along the base towards the front of the shelf. A flange protrudes away from an opposite face of the divider for supporting one side edge of a column of merchandise being held between two base and divider assemblies.

In one embodiment, the divider portion is integral with the base portion. In another embodiment, the divider portion is selectively detachable from the base portion. The flange can extend in a plane which is located above a bottom surface of the base portion. A top surface of the flange can extend in a plane which is coincident with a top surface of the pusher track. The top surface of the pusher track can be defined by at least one rail. A bottom surface of the flange can be located above the bottom surface of the base portion. In one embodiment, the divider portion and the base portion are made of different materials. In an embodiment, the divider portion can be transparent. The system can further comprise a front rail to which the base and divider assembly can be selectively secured. The system can further comprise an end member which includes a base and a divider protruding from the base. In one embodiment, the track is defined on the base portion. In another embodiment, the track is defined on the divider portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein;

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of an integrated base and divider according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the integrated base and divider of FIG. 1 from below;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the base and divider of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the base and divider of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base and divider of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged perspective view from below of an integrated base and divider of the second embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 7; and,

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a shelving system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating several embodiments of the disclosure only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a shelving system A. The shelving system of this embodiment includes an integrated base and divider 10 which includes a base 12 and a divider 18. Located on the base is a track 20. With reference now also to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the divider 18 protrudes from a side edge of the base. The track 20 includes a top surface 22. Extending upwardly from the top surface are spaced first and second rails 26 and 28. These define a slot 30 between them. Extending towards each other from facing side edges of the tracks 26 and 28 are a pair of flanges 31 and 32. A top surface of a respective track is identified by the numerals 34 and 36. The divider 18 can be planar and includes a first side 40 which faces the track 20 and a second side 42 which faces away from the track.

A flange 44 protrudes from the divider second side 42. It can be seen that the flange 44 in this embodiment is located above the top surface 22 of the track. Moreover, a top surface 46 of the flange can be located above the top surfaces 34 and 36 of the rails 26 and 28 to some extent. Moreover, a bottom surface 50 of the flange 44 is, in this embodiment, located above the top surface 22 of the track. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a plane passing along the bottom surface 50 of the flange would intersect the flanges 31 and 32 of the tracks 26 and 28. Put another way, the flange can be relatively thin in comparison to the thickness of the base 12. In this way, a significant savings can be had on the material necessary for constructing an integrated or one piece base and divider according to this embodiment of the present disclosure. The width of the flange 44 is designed to be adequate to support the opposing sides of a column of packages or product being held on an adjacent track so that the products do not cant or tilt as they are supported on a track. It is for this reason that there is a general alignment of the top surface 46 of the flange and the top surfaces 34 and 36 of the two rails along a plane 48. The flange top surface can, however, be located above the rail top surfaces by one or more hundredths of an inch, if so desired.

The flange 44 can be collinear with the length of the track 20. It can be oriented in a direction which is generally transverse to the second side or face 42 of the divider 18. The flange 44 can be continuous along the length of the divider 18. However, it should be appreciated that a flange with one or more slots or openings could be provided instead. Moreover, while the flange is illustrated as being generally planar so that it has a constant thickness along its length, other flange designs or forms are also contemplated, such as a flange having a generally triangular cross section with a thickened area near the divider and a thinner, tapered area near its distal end.

With reference now also to FIG. 4, the pusher includes a pusher wall 56 having a front face 58 (FIG. 2), as well as a pair of gussets 60 and 62. These are generally angled from the top of the pusher wall 56 to a base 70 of the pusher. Defined on the base 70 is a spring carrier surface 72. Also defined in the base are a pair of slots 74 and 76 which accommodate the flanges 31 and 32 of the rails. In this way, the pusher 54 is constrained to ride in the track 20 defined on the base 12. Extending beneath the slots are respective legs 80 and 82 of the pusher. With reference now also to FIG. 6, a coil spring 86 is supported on the spring carrier surface 72. As shown in FIG. 4, a front end 90 of the coil spring can be fastened to the base 12 with most of the remaining portion mounted on the spring carrier surface, as is known in the art. The coil spring can extend through a slot 92 (FIG. 2) in the base 70 of the pusher 54.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the base includes a bottom surface 98 which can rest upon an associated shelf. Located on the bottom face 98 is a transversely extending slot 104. The slot is defined by a front face 106, a roof 108 and a rear face 110. The front face is defined by a rear edge of a flange 112. The flange 112 extends transversely along the bottom face 104. The flange 112 is meant to be accommodated in a suitable slot of a front rail 120, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The front rail includes a slot 122 which accommodates the flange. The front rail also includes a raised area or plateau 124 which accommodates the slot 104 of the integrated base and divider 10. The cooperation of these two members is discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 which is owned by the assignee of the instant application. The subject matter of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,623 is incorporated hereinto by reference in its entirety.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, also provided in the shelving system A is an end member 130 which may be fastened to a subjacent shelf near the left hand side of the shelf. A mirror image end component would be provided on the right hand side of the shelf. The end member can include a base portion 132, as well as a divider portion 134. A suitable fastener 136 can be employed to secure the end member to the shelf.

The front rail 120 can be mounted to a subjacent shelf via suitable mounting members 126.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the base bottom surface 98 can define a chamber 148. Selectively mounted in the chamber is an engaging member 150. In the embodiment illustrated, the engaging member is resilient and comprises a face 152 on which are defined a plurality of spaced protrusions 154, these can cooperate with suitable protrusions or teeth (not visible) located on a rear surface of the raised area 124 of the front rail 20. Such cooperation is discussed in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/809,862 which was published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0017598. That application is owned by the assignee of the instant application and is incorporated hereinto by reference in its entirety.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, an elongate mounting member or front rail 120 cooperates with a cooperating member which, in this embodiment, is the integrated base and divider 10, such that the cooperating member is received on the mounting member and extends rearwardly past the mounting member over the associated shelf. In this embodiment, the engaging element or engaging member 150 is movably mounted to the cooperating member (although it could alternatively be mounted to the mounting member) with the engaging element being movable to selectively contact the mounting member in order to selectively retard relative movement between the cooperating member and the mounting member. Put another way, the face 152 of the engaging member 150 can move back and forth in the chamber 148.

With reference now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of a shelving system B is there illustrated. In this embodiment, the shelving system includes an integrated base and divider 210 which includes a base 212 and a divider 218. Defined on the base is a track 220 to which is mounted a pusher 254. Also provided in the system is a front rail 320 which cooperates with the integrated base and divider 210. Further provided is an end member 330.

With reference now to FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the integrated base and divider 210 does not include an engaging member such as the engaging member 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. Rather, a chamber 348 is left empty. A rear face 310 of a transverse slot 304 in a base bottom surface 298 includes a plurality of teeth 352 which are rigidly mounted to the base and divider 210. In other respects, the base and divider is very similar to the first embodiment illustrated in that it contains a flange 312 which helps define a front face 306 of a slot 304.

As with the first embodiment, a flange 244 protrudes from a second face 242 of the divider 218. The flange 244 is spaced upwardly from a bottom surface 298 of the base 212. In fact, the flange 244 has a top surface which is generally aligned with top surfaces of a pair of rails 226 and 228 comprising a track 220 located on the base 212.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a base and divider assembly in which the divider is selectively removable or separable from the base is disclosed. In this embodiment, there is provided a base and divider assembly including a base 400 and a divider 402. Defined on an upper face of the base are a pair of spaced rails 410 and 412. The rails extend along a longitudinal axis of the base and define a channel between them. The pair of spaced rails and the channel disposed between them define a track on the base. The track accommodates a pusher assembly 420.

Selectively connected to the base is the divider 402 which can be in the form of a generally planar wall 430 that includes a top edge 432 and a bottom edge defined by a plurality of spaced fins 434. Each pair of fins can be separated by a slot or gap 436. The divider includes a first side wall 440 and a second side wall 442 from which protrudes a flange 446. The flange may extend at a generally 90° angle from the divider second side wall. The relationship between a top side of the flange 446 and the upper surfaces of the two rails 410 and 412 is such that they are generally coplanar. The connection joint between the divider 402 and the base 400 can be such that the one or more fins 434 are accommodated in one or more slots (not visible) located in the base so as to selectively connect the divider to the base. The number of fins and slots can be varied to suit the particular requirements of the merchandising installation in which the base and divider assembly are meant to be used. While cooperating fins and slots are illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 9, it should be appreciated that other means for selectively securing the divider to the base are also contemplated herein.

Disclosed has been a base and divider assembly which locates a divider portion along a side edge of a base portion, such that only a flange extends from the opposite side of the divider. One benefit of the disclosed designs is that the amount of material necessary to construct the base and divider assembly is reduced, since only a flange needs to be provided on the opposite face of the divider in order to hold an edge of each product in a column of merchandise which is disposed on a track located between a pair of dividers.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. A merchandise display system comprising: a base and divider assembly which includes a base portion and a divider portion that protrudes from the base portion such that the divider portion is located along a side edge of the base portion; a pusher track defined on one of the base portion and the divider portion; a spring urged pusher mounted to the pusher track; and a flange protruding from a side of the divider such that the flange extends in a direction away from the track.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is of one piece with the base portion.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is selectively detachable from the base portion.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flange extends in a plane located above a bottom surface of the base portion.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein a top surface of the flange extends in a plane coincident with a top surface of the pusher track.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the top surface of the pusher track is defined by at least one rail.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein a bottom surface of the flange is located above the bottom surface of the base portion.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion and the base portion are made of different materials.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion is transparent.
 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a front rail to which the base and divider assembly can be selectively secured.
 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an end member including a base and a divider protruding from the base.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the track is defined on the base portion.
 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the divider portion forms one side edge of the base and divider assembly. 